Do You Agree with the Suggestion in Source N That Henry and Wolsey Conducted an Effective Foreign Policy in the Years 1515-1525? Essay

Below is an essay on "Do You Agree with the Suggestion in Source N That Henry and Wolsey Conducted an Effective Foreign Policy in the Years 1515-1525?" from Anti Essays, your source for research papers, essays, and term paper examples.

Tudor England saw profound changes during Henry VIII reign 1509-1547. These changed were mainly in the areas of power, society and the economy. The period in question is often thought of as the highlight of Henry's rein due to him being younger, more energetic, and having strong ideas on how to strengthen the country. However this character changed as he got older and he became childish and spoilt. In order for Henry to rule over the country smoothly, Henry needed a motivated and determined assistant. This assistant was Thomas Wolsey, a man that has been thought of as an 'alter rex' but helped thoroughly with the ruling of the country and especially with creating and seeing through foreign policies. Henry hoped that having a chief minister would heighten his power and status within Europe so he was able to compete with the two other major powers of Europe, Francis I of France and Charles V ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. To conclude an answer to this question it is important to determine the criteria of the word ‘effective’. We should measure effectiveness by whether Henry and Wolsey achieved their aim and what the country gained from the policy.
Due to England being a smaller European power, war was a major drain on resources and was simply not affordable. As well as England’s economy suffering under war Henrys status could not be upheld by the victory of war alone. To avoid war being a further burden on England, Wolsey decided to create a non-aggression pact between all major European nations. France, England, The Holy Roman Empire, Spain, Burgundy and the Netherlands, all of whom agreed not to attack one another and to come to the aid of any that were under attack. There is some evidence to say that Wolsey viewed the Treaty as the first step to greater integration between the Christian states of Europe, this being of interest to Wolsey due to him being a Cardinal and Archbishop of York. Despite the Treaty only lasting three years and thus not keeping...

APA Citation

Do You Agree with the Suggestion in Source N That Henry and Wolsey Conducted an Effective Foreign Policy in the Years 1515-1525?. Anti Essays. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from the World Wide Web: http://www.antiessays.com/free-essays/Do-You-Agree-With-The-Suggestion-603127.html